Machine for attaching cables to messengers



l D. .1. NEALEY 2,295,749

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING A CABLE TO A MESSENGER Filed June 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Dory r1 Ned/e, I47

Sept. 15, 1942. D, N AILE 2,295,749

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING A CABLE TO A MESSENGER Filed June 24. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIIIIIIIIJ INVENTOR Dory J A/ea/e. BY

P 1942- n. J. NEALE 2,295,749

MACHINE FOR ATTACHING A .CABLE TO A MESSENGER Filed June 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Illl INVENTOR Dory d. Nee/e.

ATT'Q NEY Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR ATTACHING' CABLES TO MESSENGERS This invention relates to a machine for attaching a cable to its messenger. Heretofore cables have been suspended from messengers by hangers, but these hangers have not been sat- I isfactory and are being supplanted by a wire or single operator and that may be readily transferred from one side of a pole to the other; to

provide means for centering the machine on the messenger for better balance of the wire carrier which rotates about the supporting frame incidental to movement thereof along the cable; to 20 provide the machine with mechanism for centering and laying the cable to the messenger; to provide the machine with automatic adjusting rollers to pass over joints in the cable; to provide th machine with spring means for laying the cable against the messenger and maintaining uniform tension of the rollers on the messenger and cable respectively; and to provide for selective variable tension on the binding wire.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the features of the present invention and showing its use in binding a wire or strand about a cable and its supporting messenger.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the method of laying the cable against its supporting messenger preparatory to application of the binding strand or wire.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine with the carriage shown in the same relative position as it appears in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the eccentric rollers for maintaining the spool carrier in centered position on the body of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section through the cable and its supporting messenger showing the machine in end elevation.

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the mounting of one of the carriage centering rollers.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through the machine on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 with the insert of the machine body removed to permit removal and application of the machine to a messenger and cable supported thereby.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a machine embodying the features of the present invention and adapted for laying a binding wire or strand 2 about a messenger 3 and cable 4 supported thereby, the messenger and its cable being carried on poles 5 as in customary practice. The wire 2 is attached at one end to an adjacent pole and laid in a plurality of progressively wound convolutions 6 to the next pole where the wire is preferably cut and tied relatively to the pole for maintaining the convolutions so that the cable is closely bound to the messenger and adequately supported along the entire length thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the machine I includes a trolley 1 adapted to move along the messenger under the propelling influence of a rope8. Rotatably mounted on the trolley is a carrier 9 for a spool Ill which stores the binding strand 2 and from which the strand is unwound and coiled about the cable and its messenger incidental to travel of the trolley therealong. The trolley 1 includes a sleeve-like body ll having an inner diameter of ample size to accommodate the cable, its messenger, and any splice or coupling joint l2 over which the machine may be required to move. The sleeve is also of ample length to accommodate the necessary mechanism as later described.

In order to readily apply the trolley, the sleevelike body ll includes a removable longitudinal section l3 to provide a throat l4 through which the cable and its conductor are adapted to enter when the machine is placed thereover. The side edges of the section [3 are formed substantially on chords extending through the sleeve and intersecting on a diameter thereof midway of the throat M. The edges of the removable section are thus adapted to abut against the corresponding edges at the sides of the throat l4, and are securely clamped thereagainst by pairs of toggle clasps l5 and I 6, the loops I! of which engage over lugs l8 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Any number of clamps may be employed, however, I find that one pair ateach end of the trolley is sufficient to support the removable section, thereby facilitating removal thereof when the machine is to be transferred from one side of a pole to the other.

Fixed to the rear end of the trolley by substantially arcuate plates I9 and 20 are rearwardly extending parallel wings or flanges 2| and. 22. The wings 2| and 22 each have a pair of angularly arranged slots 23 and 24 with the outer ends of the slots located adjacent the rear edges of the Wings and the inner ends adjacent to the forward portion of the wings so that the slots form guides to retain axles 25 and 26 for wheels 21 and 28. The wheels 21 and 28 have grooved faces 29 and 30 adapted to respectively track on the messenger 3 and cable 4 under action of a tensioning mechanism to center the machine relatively thereto and bring the cable into contact with the messenger. The axle 25 is of suflicient length to bridge the space between the wings and carries collars 3| and 32 thereon adapted to engage the respective side faces of the wings to retain the wheel 2:! in centered position. The axle 25 supporting the wheel 28 is formed of sections 33, 34 and 35. The

.sections :33 and35 are movably supported in the guides'lots23-and 24by collars 36. and 31 similarly .to thecollars previously described. The guide wheel '28 is carried on .the section 34 which is hinged at 3.8 to thesection33. The opposite end of the section 26 is intercoupled with the section 35 by a clutch connector 39 including a head 45 fixedtothe section 34.and.h'aving lugs4l adapted to' interengagein notches 42 of a head 43 slidably mountedonthesection 35, but which is normally retained in clutching engagement with the head .40 by spring'44 sleeved on the section 35 and :havingtheendbearing against the slidable head 43 :and :its opposite end against the adjacent :collar-3'l.

With :this construction, it is obvious that by .releasingtheslidable head from engagement with .the fixed head 40, the-axle section and the roller married thereby may beswung on the hinge 38 in the manner of a gate topermit application of the machine. It1is thus'obvious'that the rear end of the machine is carried by the wheels .21 and 28 andthat thewwheels are adapted to move to and from :each other :to allow for variation in the diameter of the cable and'its messenger, the messenger splices'and cable couplings shown in Fig. 3.

'The tensioning mechanism previously mentioned includes ayoke 45-fixed'toa rod 46 that is slidably mounted in:a guide 41 attached to the upper,:.forward end of the-trolley as best shown in Figs? and .3. The .ends:of the yoke overlie the sidesof'ithe'trolley and carry. inwardly extending :studs .431rnovable in longitudinal slots 49 in a sleeveelike body, which 52,150 :serve as guides to position theyoke4-5. .The'inner ends of the studs haveleyes50 for passing'thebites5l of .cables 52 :atthe'respective sides of the machine. The ends i 3 and 55 of the respective :cables extend rearwardly of themachine andaboutguide pulleys 55 journalled=on the'wings 21 .and 22 midway of the inner endscif the slots'23 and '24. The ends 54 of the cablesextend over'the'pulleys and connect, as -at 56,'w'ith the ends of the axle sections 33 and 35 respectively, while the ends 53 extend under the pulleys and connect with the ends of the upper :axlei25, aszat58.

Connected with the yoke-45'is a tension spring 5.5 h'aving itsuopposite'end connected with a cable 153 wound upon the drum 6! of anadjusting device :32. The'adjusting device 62 includes a ratchet wheel-63 fixed to the'drum and having teeth 64 engaged by a-click 65. Itlis thus obvious that the spring 59 tends to move the yoke 45 forwardly with respect to the forward travel of the machine and causes the cables 52 to draw the wheels 21 ing wheel ll. .having its endsprojecting through slots 13 in the and 28 toward each other whereby the cable is laid in contact with the messenger, as clearly shown in Fig, 2. The spring 59, however, is adapted to yield when the wheels 2'! and 28 contact an obstruction or an enlargement as in the instance of the coupling illustrated in Fig. 3 and designated I 2, to allow passage of the obstruction relative to the machine. It is obvious that by rotating the ratchet wheel 63 in an anticlockwise direction, Fig. 2, increased tension may be applied to the spring 59 and this tension may be relieved by releasing the click 55 and allowing the ratchet wheel to rotate in a clockwise direction until the desired tension has been applied to the spring 59 to obtain the desired action on the wheels 21 and 28.

Fixed to the opposite end of the sleeve-like body, at the sides thereof, are brackets 61 and 63.

The brackets 61 and 68 have substantially T- shaped heads 39 arranged vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to mount a messenger engaging wheel -15 and a cable support- The Wheel 18 operates an axle 12 heads '59 of the brackets and secured in adjusted position relatively to the axial center of the sleeve-like body by clamping nuts 14, the adjust- .ment being necessary to position the wheel 19 with respect to a messenger and cable. The wheel H is carried on an axle 15 having its ends removably mounted in one of a plurality of notches formed in the forward edges of the T-shaped head. The notches include throat portions 11 to pass the ends of the shaft and terminate in enlarged portions 78 to seat the shaft, the ends of the shaft being provided with heads 19, to engage .the outer faces of the bracket heads. Located .in the heads of the brackets, below the lowermost notches, are openings for attaching the pull rope 8 by which the mechanism is drawn along themessenger.

Fixed circumferentially of the rear end of the sleeve-like .body is a track 8| cooperating with a forwardly spaced track 82 to rotatably mount :the carrier 9 previously mentioned. The

tracks 81 and 82 include sections 83 and 84 attached to the removable section E3 of the sleevelike bodyysee Figs. 6 and 8.

The carrier Qincludes a pair of arcuate-shaped :plates 85 and 86 having their ends 8'! and 88 spaced so that they will substantially register withthe sides of the throat M as shown in Fig. 8. The inner faces of the plates have cooperating recesses 89 to accommodate rollers arranged radially about the sleeve-like body and in contact therewith to rotatably mount the carrier. The plates are secured together to retain the rollers by fastening devices, such as bolts 9|, which also form supports for the inner races 92 for antifriction bearings 93 carrying the respective rollers. The bolts preferably extend through notches 94 in the inner edges of the plates so that the rollers may be shifted to and from contact with the trolley body H as when fitting the carrier thereon or compensating for Wear. The bolts are adjusted in the notches by means of adjusting screws 95, as shown in Fig. '7, the heads 96 of which are rotatably mounted in counterbores of bores 51 through which the shanks S8 of the screws are projected into threaded engagement with threaded openings 55 in the ends of the bolts 9!.

Mounted in recesses I58 and id! in the inner faces of the carrier plates 85 and 35 are rollers 1G2 and 1&3 with their axes arranged radially with respect to the carrier. The rollers I82 and I03 are journalled on inner bearing races I84, Fig. 5, carrying antifriction bearings I 85, the inner races being eccentrically mounted on pins I06 rotatably mounted in radial bores I01 of the carrier. The bores I81 are provided at the outer faces of the carrier plates with recesses I88 to accommodate clamping nuts I69 by which the inner races of the rollers are retained in adjusted position. The peripheries of the rollers project from the forward side face of the carrier to engage the face II!) of the track 8|. Located at the opposite diametrical sides of the carrier is a similar roller II I, cooperating with the rollers I02 and I03.

Located in a recess H2 at a point adjacent the roller III, but in the outer face of the carrier plates, is a roller II3 engaging with the face II4 of the track 82. Positioned midway between the rollers I02 and I83 in the outer faces of the carrier plates is a recess II5 to accommodate a wheel II 6 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft H1. The shaft II1 preferably comprises a stud having a threaded end II8 engaged in a threaded socket II9 of the carrier. The wheel IIS includes a resilient tire I 28 frictionally engaging the face II4 of the track 82. Fixed to the traction wheel H6 is a drive wheel IZI having a grooved periphery I22. The wheel I2I carries an antifriction bearing I23 which cooperates with an antifriction bearing I24 of the traction wheel H6.

The wheel assembly thus described is rotatably retained on the stud by a washer I25 backed by a nut I26 threaded on the projecting end of the stud. Fixed to the carrier, in alignment with the drive wheel I2I and extending forwardly of the maclL'ne, is an arm I21 terminating in a yoke-like bracket I28 between which is journalled the spool I8 previously mentioned. The spool I0 is journalled on a removable pin I28 having a reduced end I38 seated in an opening I3I of the arm I21. The opposite end of the pin extends through an opening I32 of the yoke- -li.ke bracket I28 and has an annular groove I33 engaged by a latch I34 which is mounted on a pivot I 35. The latch includes a tail portion I35 carrying a spring-pressed ball I31 adapted to engage in a depression I38 of the yoke to retain the latch in engagement with the groove I33 of the pin I29 so as to avoid dislodgment thereof. The spool I8 includes a hub I38 having spaced flanges I 48 and MI for storing the wire 2. The bracket I28 carries a brake I42 in the form of a screw I43 which is threaded in an opening I44 of the bracket and carries a shoe I45 adapted to engage the outer face of the flange I 48. The

screw I43 is retained in adjusted position by a jam-nut I45 threaded on the shank thereof and engaging against the outer face of the yoke to control rotation of the spool and tension the wire unwound therefrom when the machine is operated.

In order to substantially balance the bracket I28, spool I8 and the grooved wheel I2I. the opposite side of the carrier has an arm I41 extending forwardly of the machine to mount a weight I48. The weight I48 is removably mounted on the arm and retained from displacement by a set-screw I49. The weight I48 is preferably such that when substantially half the wire on the spool is unwound the carrier is in complete balance.

When the section I3 of the trolley is to be removed, the carrier is retained in a position so that the terminal ends thereof register with the sides of the throat l4. This is effected by a plunger I58 that is slidably mounted in a recess I5I of the carrier and moved into a socket I52 of the sleeve-like body II by a spring I53. The plunger is withdrawn from the socket by a rod I54 which carries a head or knob I55. To retain the plunger in retracted position against action of the spring I53, the rod I54 carries a laterally extending pin I56 movable in a recess I51 when the plunger is moved to latching position, but when the plunger is moved from engagement with the socket I52, the pin is adapted to ride on the outer surface of the carrier and hold the end of the plunger I 58 from contact with the trolley.

In using an apparatus constructed and assembled as described, a spool I0 containing the wire 2 is mounted in the bracket I28. This is readily effected by unlatching the pin I 28 so that it may be withdrawn to permit insertion of the spool and registering the bore of the hub I33 thereof with the pin openings. The pin I29 is then returned to position and the head thereof secured by the latch I34. The brake I42 is then adjusted to provide friction on the spool and restrict the rotation thereof. A weight I48 of suitable size is applied to the arm I41 so that it will, as near as practical, balance the weight of the mechanism at the opposite side of the carrier, including half the weight of the wire on the spool. The carrier is then shifted relatively to the sleeve-like body of the trolley so that the ends thereof register with the sides of the throat I4, whereupon the plunger I53 is released to engage in the socket I52 and retain the carrier in latched position on the trolley. The clasps I5 and I6 are then released to permit removal of the section I3. After removal of the section I3, the connector 39 is disconnected so that the wheel 28 may be moved out of position, the axle section 34 thereof swinging on the hinge 33.

The machine is then carried to the end of the section of the cable to be attached to the messenger, the operator climbing the adjacent pole and applying the trolley so that the messenger and cable may enter through the throat I4 into the axial center of the sleeve-like body II with the wheels 21 and 18 resting on the messenger. The section I3 is then reapplied to close the throat I4. The wheel 28 is then removed to position for supporting the cable and the axle section 34 is secured in aligning engagement by the connector 39. The spring 58 is then tensioned by manipulating the ratchet 63 so that the wheel 28 raises the cable 4 into contact with the messenger 3, as shown in Fig. 3, the action of the spring acting through the yoke 45, studs 48, and cables 52. The wheel 18 is then adjusted by loosening the nuts 14 and sliding the axle thereof in the slots 13 until the forward end of the trolley is aligned with the messenger. The axle of the wheel is then tightened in the adjusted position, after which the wheel II is mounted in one of the notches 16 to support the cable 4 at that end of the machine. The free end of the wire 2 is withdrawn from the spool and one wrap, as indicated at I58, is taken in the groove I 22 of the drive wheel I 2I, Fig. 2.

p The end of the wire 2 is then attached in any suitable manner to the pole so that it is firmly anchored. The plunger I 56 is then released from latching engagement with the socket I52.

The pull rope 8, being attached to the brackets V 61 and 68, is then drawn toward the next pole -yielding to movement of the wheels. 'diately upon passing of the coupling, the spring in any desired manner. :Forward movement (of the trolley along the messenger causes the wheel 28 to lift the cable .into contact with the messenger and the wire 2 to be 'unwoundfrom the spool to. Unwinding of the wire 2lfromtthe p001 causes the drive wheel I2l to rotate the'traction wheel H6 and the traction thereof with the face H4 causes rotation of the carrier progressively with forward movement of the machine, with the .result that the wire 2 is laid in a series of helical convolutions in binding relation with the cable and messenger. The wheels '18 and H are so spaced that a coupling on the cable '4 will pass freely therebetween and when the coupling engages the wheel 28, the axles supporting the 2 wheels 21 and 28 will move outwardlyinthe slots of the wings 2i and 22 and permit passage of the coupling as shown in Fig. 3, the spring 59 Immeiii-returns the wheels "21 and 28 to their normal position so that the remaining portion of the cable 4 will be moved into contact with the messenger 3. next pole the wire 2 is cut with sufficient length to continue the wrapping up to the point of the When the machine reaches the pole. In most instances, the machine is set so that the pitch of the helical winding is approxi- *mately eleven inches.

Therefore the final hand winding .is relatively short. The wheel 28 is then unlatched and the carrier '9 is moved to position :so that the socket l52 maybe engaged by the plunger I50. The removable section 53 is then disconnected, together with the wheel H, after which the machine is lifted to the opposite side of the pole and replaced as previously described.

messenger in the same manner'as that previously described. I

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a machine which is readily manipulated .on the messenger by a single operator and that it may be drawn along the messenger with a minimum of eifort. It is also obvious that the machine is adjustable to vary tension of the wire 2 and that the wire supports the cable axially along the entire length. Since the convolutions have uniform pitch, they will not loosen and allow sagging of any portion of the cable.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adaptedto operate upon a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a'cable to be supported by the mesenger into substantial contact with the messenger, .a .carrier rotatable on the trolley about said cable and messenger, means on the carrier 'for mounting a spool of wire, an annular track on the trolley substantially coaxial with the messenger, a wheel on the carrier engaging the track, means responsiv to pay of the wire from the spool to rotate said wheel on the track to move the carrier about the track, and means for moving the trolley along the messenger to effect unspooling of the wire.

2. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported :by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, spool supporting means having .a spindle member .extending substantiallyatright angles with respect to the messenger when the trolley is mounted thereon, means on the trolley having an axis of rotation parallel with the messenger for mounting the spool supporting means for bodily movement about the trolley, and means responsive-to pay of wire from said spool for effecting movement of said mounting means on said axis.

3. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley having spaced wings at one end provided with pairs of slots, axles in said slots, a wheel on ne'of the axles adapted to operate upon a messenger, a wheel on the other 'axle adapted to support a cable, yielding means on the trolley for moving the axles toward each other to raise the cable against the messengerymessenger and cable contacting wheels at the opposite end of the trolley, a carrier rotatable on the trolley, means on the carrier for mounting a spool of wire, means for rotating the carrier to move the spool of wire about the messenger and cable, and means for moving thetrolley along the messenger to effect unspooling of the wire and winding of the unspooled wire about the messenger and cable.

4.-. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley having a sleeve-like body provided with a removable-section to mount the trolley on a messenger, wheels on said sleeve-like body for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger into substantial contact with the messenger, a carrier rotatable on the sleeve-like body, means on the carrier for mounting a spool of Wire, an annular track on the trolley substantially coaxial with the messenger, a portion of said track including a movable section carried by the removable section of said body, a traction wheel on the carrier ngaging the'track, means responsive to pay of the wire from the spool to rotate said traction wheel to effect rotation of the carrier, and means for moving the trolley along the messenger to efiect =unspooling of the wire.

5. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, spool supporting means, annular tracks spaced on the trolley, wheels on the spool supporting means engaging facing sides of said tracks, and means responsive to pay of wire from a spool carried by said supporting means for effecting movement of the spool supporting means on said tracks.

6. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, spool supporting means, annular tracks spaced on the trolley, wheels on the spool supporting means engaging facing sides of said tracks, means responsive to pay of wire from a spool carried by said supporting means for effecting movement of the spool supporting means on said tracks, and cocentrics mounting selected wheels for adjusting spacing of the wheels with respect to said tracks.

7. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, said trolley including a sleeve-like body, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, spool supporting means, annular tracks spaced on the sleeve-like body, wheels on the spool supporting means enim m gaging facing sides of said tracks, cooperating Wheels carried by the spool supporting means and engaging the periphery of the sleeve-like body, and means responsive to pay of wire from a spool carried by said supporting means for effecting movement of the spool supporting means on said tracks.

8. An apparatus of the character described, including a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, said trolley including a sleevelike body, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, spool supporting means, annular tracks spaced on the sleeve-like body, wheels on the spool supporting means engaging facing sides of said tracks, cooperating wheels carried by the spool supporting means and engaging the periphery of the sleevelike body, means responsive to pay of wire from a spool carried by said supporting means for effecting movement of the spool supporting means on said tracks, and eccentrics mounting selected wheels for adjusting spacing of the wheels with respect to said tracks.

9. An apparatus of the character described including, a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, an annular track on the trolley, a carrier mounted on said track for rotation about the axis of said messenger when the trolley is supported thereon, a spool supporting spindle arranged radially of said carrier for mounting a spool of wire for rotation on an axis transversely to the axis of said annular track, and means responsive to pay of wire from the spool for effecting movement of the carrier on said annular track.

10. An apparatus of the character described including, a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be sup-ported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, an annular track on the trolley, a carrier mounted on said track for rotation about the axis of said messenger when the trolley is supported thereon, a spool supporting spindle arranged radially of said carrier for mounting the spool of wire for rotation on an axis transversely to the axis of said annular track, means responsive to pay of wire from the spool for effecting movement of the carrier on said annular track, and means fixed to the side of the carrier opposite said spool for effecting substantial balance of the carrier on said track.

11. An apparatus of the character described including, a trolley adapted to operate upon a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable into contact with the messenger, a carrier rotatable on the trolley about an axis extending in the direction of movement of the trolley, means on the carrier for supporting a spool of Wire with the axis of said spool arranged transversely of the carrier axis, a frictional drive connection between the carrier and trolley including a member on the carrier having frictional contact with a cooperating member on the trolley, and means responsive to forward movement of the trolley along the messenger to rotate one of said members to eiiect frictional rotation of the other member and rotation of the carrier for winding a strand in helical form about the cable and messenger to secure the cable to the messenger.

12. An apparatus of the character described including, a trolley adapted for running support on a messenger, means on the trolley for raising a cable to be supported by the messenger, means for moving the trolley on the messenger, an annular track on the trolley, a carrier mounted for rotation about the trolley on an axis substantially parallel with, the messenger, a spool supporting spindle arranged radially of the carrier for mounting a spool of wire for rotation on an axis transversely of the axis of the carrier, a wheel on the carrier having frictional engagement with the annular track, and a drive wheel connected with said friction wheel and having a groove for receiving a bight in the wire paid from said spool for rotating the drive wheel responsive to movement of the trolley on the messenger.

DORY J. NEALE. 

